Castle Combe GTs - Novice friendly?

[LennyM1984]

mat205125 said:

Was pleased in the second race to get my fastest lap into the 1:23's, and getting down into the teens still feels doable, albeit with some work to do to get there ...... setup and growing a pair mainly

What's the spec of your Escort? Best I could manage in my Ginetta was a 1:23.8 on semi-slicks. That's with 135bhp and ~900kg without driver. Like you I reckon there's a few more seconds in it - I kept braking too early/over slowing for both chicanes. I think I can also take a straighter line to the first apex of the Esses.

[Petrus1983]

Really glad you had a good day - getting through qualifying and finishing the race should always be the aim the first few times so sounds like you did well

Eta - maybe try posting some of the onboard on here and see if anyone can notice a few areas to gain the extra few seconds? My initial guess without having seen it would to be a bit braver on the brakes - which is very hard to master on a grotty Wiltshire day!

Edited by Petrus1983 on Wednesday 12th April 11:11

[LennyM1984]

Petrus1983 said:

Eta - maybe try posting some of the onboard on here and see if anyone can notice a few areas to gain the extra few seconds? My initial guess without having seen it would to be a bit braver on the brakes - which is very hard to master on a grotty Wiltshire day!

Edited by Petrus1983 on Wednesday 12th April 11:11

My 7 year old daughter has "borrowed" the SD card (I stupidly left it on my desk last night) but if I ever recover it I will. I think you are probably right though - I'm definitely braking too early for the Esses and probably too much for Camp. I also want to try and smooth out all of my lines - I was watching the onboard from one of the other GT racers and he's doing less turning than I am.

Can't wait for the next race and will hopefully be able to start chipping away at all of these areas for improvement.

[Petrus1983]

Chipping away is definitely the way forwards. I thought I was going to be the next Lewis Hamilton at my first ever testing session and promptly stuffed it into the barriers at Tower

[mat205125]

LennyM1984 said:

mat205125 said:

Was pleased in the second race to get my fastest lap into the 1:23's, and getting down into the teens still feels doable, albeit with some work to do to get there ...... setup and growing a pair mainly

What's the spec of your Escort? Best I could manage in my Ginetta was a 1:23.8 on semi-slicks. That's with 135bhp and ~900kg without driver. Like you I reckon there's a few more seconds in it - I kept braking too early/over slowing for both chicanes. I think I can also take a straighter line to the first apex of the Esses.

Haven't had the Escort on the dyno or on the scales, but it's a 2.0 C20XE engine with standard internals and just twin 45s

I'd guesstimate its about 900kg without the driver, and no more than 180bhp. I'm running it on used Hancook slicks.

In-car videos below if you fancy a watch ........ Was a bit cautious at the start of the first race, as I was on slicks, and we'd just had the late morning rain/hail downpour as I was lining up. Most changed to wets, but I was pleased that slicks was the option to go for after a lap or two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka227LKR9eI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au4SWyrX8q8

[mat205125]

Petrus1983 said:

Chipping away is definitely the way forwards. I thought I was going to be the next Lewis Hamilton at my first ever testing session and promptly stuffed it into the barriers at Tower

Doah!

[anonymous-user]

mat205125 said:

Haven't had the Escort on the dyno or on the scales, but it's a 2.0 C20XE engine with standard internals and just twin 45s

I'd guesstimate its about 900kg without the driver, and no more than 180bhp. I'm running it on used Hancook slicks.

In-car videos below if you fancy a watch ........ Was a bit cautious at the start of the first race, as I was on slicks, and we'd just had the late morning rain/hail downpour as I was lining up. Most changed to wets, but I was pleased that slicks was the option to go for after a lap or two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka227LKR9eI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au4SWyrX8q8

for a beautifully presented car, interior looks spot on

[mat205125]

pablo said:

for a beautifully presented car, interior looks spot on

Thanks for that. Much appreciated.

[Petrus1983]

mat205125 said:

LennyM1984 said:

mat205125 said:

Was pleased in the second race to get my fastest lap into the 1:23's, and getting down into the teens still feels doable, albeit with some work to do to get there ...... setup and growing a pair mainly

What's the spec of your Escort? Best I could manage in my Ginetta was a 1:23.8 on semi-slicks. That's with 135bhp and ~900kg without driver. Like you I reckon there's a few more seconds in it - I kept braking too early/over slowing for both chicanes. I think I can also take a straighter line to the first apex of the Esses.

Haven't had the Escort on the dyno or on the scales, but it's a 2.0 C20XE engine with standard internals and just twin 45s

I'd guesstimate its about 900kg without the driver, and no more than 180bhp. I'm running it on used Hancook slicks.

In-car videos below if you fancy a watch ........ Was a bit cautious at the start of the first race, as I was on slicks, and we'd just had the late morning rain/hail downpour as I was lining up. Most changed to wets, but I was pleased that slicks was the option to go for after a lap or two.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ka227LKR9eI

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=au4SWyrX8q8

Nice racing - I’d keep Camp a bit wider - the speed through the corner over the kerbs on the apex pales into insignificance compared with the speed you’ll be reach by the time you get to Avon Rise - slightly wider with the throttle down a little more - keep the speed from Dean Straight as much as you can.